"He's the egrigori I told you," Suriyel said as he helped me with the heavy door of the library, "you might be interested, I guess."

"Egrigori? You mean, the descendants of humans and angels?"

Suriyel patted my head as Philipp did.

"I'm surprised that you can remember that definition."

"I sense the sarcasm in your compliment."

"That's exactly the intention."

I squinted my eyes as he cackled.

The library was the best place in the Order, with chandeliers of warm glow hanging all around the ceiling, reflecting the gold paint on the shelves, the whole place glittering and shining like a palace built of jewels and gold.

Stories were carved on those luxurious myrtle shelves, and I seek pleasure caressing them when no one paid attention. Besides, the maze-like library was carpeted and well-decorated, I could easily hide in a corner, lie down and time would go by easily.

"Receptionist," Suriyel pulled down his hood and disappeared a few steps later.

Lady Peruzea's desk was located at the corner, easily spotted once we pushed the door open. There she was, wearing her favourite turquoise gown, with a thick book in front of her, and her daughter, ten-year-old Azuriko sitting quietly beside her as her assistant.

Azuriko's father was Japanese, whereas her mother, Lady Peruzea was a Romanian. She took up the dark eyes and black hair from her father, but her complexion and facial features were mostly European, with a tall nose and exceptionally large eyes on her heart-shaped face. Her long black hair was left freely behind her back, carefully put behind her ears as she read.

"Oh, good day, dear!" Lady Peruzea seemed to be delighted whenever I entered, and I paced to give her a big hug. The chubby lady squeezed me hard in her arms, as always, then I turned to give Azuriko a hug.

However, right before she could greet me, she bulged her eyes instead, and seem to be very frightened.

"What's wrong?" Shocked by her reaction, I asked without thinking.

"Ma, Nikolai's asking for help in the room," Azuriko turned to her mother and curled her lips, if I was right, she was frightened for a second.

"Oh, dear..." Lady Peruzea shook her head and headed to her desk, rummaged through her drawers, "what does he need this time?"

"Ah... diapers?"

I was curious, so I asked, "Nikolai? Diapers? Is he babysitting someone?"

"Well, yes, except that ... is not really a baby," Azuriko took out a huge pack of diapers from one cupboard while Lady Peruzea finished her search and held a huge bundle of keys in her hand.

"Azuriko, please tell Arariel that we'd be excused for a moment, I think she's at the... ah... language section, and we'll meet at the door. Oh, hand me the diapers, dear."

"I can help," I stepped up and carried the diapers for Azuriko, and she trotted towards the location as told by her mother.

"Who's Arariel?"

"She's a friend," Lady Peruzea smiled and gestured me to follow, "Normally, we'd keep it secret, but I think you're trustworthy, so I'm showing you the way to the nursery."

"What nursery?"

"Oh my gosh," Suriyel appeared out of nowhere and walked by our side, "how can you stand her asking so many questions without breathing, Lady Peruzea?"

"Suriyel!" I squeaked.

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Lady Peruzea chuckled and replied, "fate, I guess?"

Suriyel chuckled sarcastically and turned to me.

"Show some gratitude, kid, she values your presence."

"...You two know each other? — — Ouch."

Suriyel slapped my head and told me to keep quiet.

"...You're such a meanie," I stared at him.

"Focus on the road," he said.

Anyway, within minutes, we arrived at the demonology section and Azuriko returned.

"Remember, do not come here without accompany," Lady Peruzea said as she took out her bundle of keys. She led us to the side of one of those huge bookshelves, and she pointed at the carving.

"Remember, we are all sailing on a boat," She was almost whispering as she flipped open the keyhole, which was hidden beneath the carving of the boat, "we all are carrying our own crosses."

"Erm... are you sure this is appropriate?" I weakly protested.

"Don't worry, dear, I grant you permission."

After a few times trying, Lady Peruzea unlocked the door, and she quickly led us in.

It was dark inside the shelve, and we travelled across a corridor before we reached another door.

"This door is not locked," Lady Peruzea said as she pushed it open.

I could see the light blue colour of the walls, and the crib with a grand canopy in the middle of the room. There was another man in the room, facing us with his back.

"Nikolai, what's wrong?" Lady Peruzea headed towards the man directly.

The man in the room — — turning out to be Nikolai — — shrugged and whispered something into her ear, while Azuriko grasped my hand with her sweaty palm.

"Are you alright?" I asked the girl who was shivering beside me.

"That's normal," Azuriko shook her head, her voice weaker than just now, "it happens all the time when Lukas is around me."

"Lady Peruzea — — " I decided to call for her mother.

"Just a moment," Nikolai raised a finger without turning around, and I heard the noise of a baby sobbing.

Out of the blue, Suriyel showed himself again and walked straight towards the crib.

"Suriyel?" Lady Peruzea quickly moved aside for Suriyel, "please take a look of this little gentleman here, may you?"

My arrogant angel remained silent, and I watched them discussing distantly while I tried to calm the girl next to me.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"It will be fine in a while," her voice was shaky, but still, she nodded to assure me.

I was even more worried.

"Sariella?" Nikolai waved at me,"come over here."

"But Azuriko..."

"I'm ok," she patted my shoulder, "go take a look."

Lady Peruzea put her hand on my right shoulder once I was near enough, and the toddler in the crib slowly turned to me, showing his face.

He giggled with tears on his face, his stunning green eyes sparkling with teardrops on his eyelashes, and he was hugging his blanket, together with a bunny doll. He turned his posture and moved towards me, standing up slowly with Nikolai's help.

"Babysitter," the little boy reached out both arms for me and giggled, "huggie."

Bewildered and confused, still, I did as he requested.

Nikolai studied us and smiled as the toddler put his arms around my neck.

"He likes you."

"Okay, why does he sleep here? In the library?" I asked.

"Because we are the only people kind enough to show this little devil kindness," Lady Peruzea replied, "I think I need a cigarette."

"I need one, too," said Nikolai.

"No, you're not getting any cigarette from me," Lady Peruzea rejected and guided me to hold the toddler properly.

I like hugging babies, but this one? He was so soft! So fragile! I was scared that I would hurt him if I was careless.

"Ah... what kind of devil?" I covered the toddler's butt to prevent him from falling down, he giggled and touched my face with his tiny hand.

"You two look very much alike," he said in my mother tongue, Cantonese.

I decided not to be so surprised for the rest of today.

"Erm... Why is he here?" I asked again, finding my voice very shaky.

"Philipp was the one responsible to take care of him, but he had other duties to take care of, " Nikolai picked up the bunny from the crib and stuffed it in the toddler's hand, "also, since you have arrived, Lukas could sense your angel, and was trying to reach out ever since."

"Lukas?" I repeated, and the toddler raised his bunny into my face and touched my cheek with its nose.

"Mua!" he chuckled and held the bunny tightly.

"You.. you two know each other?" I turned to Suriyel.

"And your brother," said Lukas in my arms, "don't worry, nanny, he is still alive."

I took a deep breath and asked, "How come you know each other?!"

"Don't freak out," Nikolai whispered behind me, "try to be gentle."

"Calm down," Lady Peruzea chuckled and talked to the toddler in my arms in her mother tongue, Romanian.

I could not understand a single word, but the toddler seems to be pleased.

"Oh! I have a gift for you," Lukas smiled and took out a bracelet from his pocket.

"Lukas — — "

Nikolai seemed to disagree, then Lukas stuffed the bracelet back in the pocket of his pyjamas again.

"Well... Next time," Lukas said, "please put me down, nanny."

Once I put him on the floor, the toddler suddenly grew bigger, heavier, and older, until he became a child about five years old. He rushed to hug Suriyel, and Lady Peruzea led the three of us back to the library again.

"They need some time catching up with each other," said Lady Peruzea, "let's get to your assignment then."

"Ah, right, my books."

"I'll go have a cigarette then, see you later," Nikolai remained silent until we were out the tunnel, and he quickly dashed towards the entrance.

At the very same moment, Lady Peruzea reached for her pocket, frowned, and exclaimed a long Romanian sentence.

"That kid took my lighter," she turned to us with a bitter smile, "now I have to light my cigarette with the fireplace!"